WT/GC/248  
 
6 May 2022  
(22-3560) Page: 1/2 
General Council  Original: English  
 
JOINT STATEMENT ON OPEN AND PREDICTABLE TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL  
AND FOOD PRODUCTS  
The following communication, dated 6  May 2022, is being circulated at the request of the delegations 
of Albania; Australia; Canada; Chile; Costa Rica; European Union; Georgia; Iceland; Israel; Japan; 
Republic of Korea; Liechtenstein; Mexico; Republic of Moldova; Montenegro; New Zealand; 
North Macedonia; Norway; Paraguay; Singapore; Switzerland; The Separate Customs Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Ukraine; U nited Kingdom and United States . 
 
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1. We reiterate our support for UN General Assembly Resolutions A/RES/ES -11/1 on 
2 March  2022 and A/RES/ES -11/2 on 24 March 2022 and we express our support and solidarity with 
the people of Ukraine. We are gravely concerned about the ongoing suffering of not only the direct 
victims in Ukraine, but also the further effects on the  world economy and trade.  
 
2. Impediments to exports as a result of the conflict, especially given Ukraine is one of the world 's 
top exporters of key agricultural products (e.g. wheat, maize, barley, sunflower oil) and a major 
supplier to the World Food Progr amme, have significant local, regional and global effects on food 
security, adding to the already severe situation caused by COVID -19. All of these effects will also be 
felt through global food supply chains and increases to the already high prices for agr icultural 
commodities and inputs.  
 
3. We reaffirm the urgency and importance of maintaining open and predictable agricultural 
markets and trade to ensure the continued flow of food, as well as products, services and inputs 
essential for agricultural and food production and supply chains. We al so recognise the importance 
of exercising restraint in excessive stockpiling and hoarding of agricultural products affected by this 
crisis that are traditionally exported.   
 
4. We also emphasise the value of the Agriculture Market Information System (AMIS) an d 
recognise the important role played by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 
and other international organisations in providing analysis and data to inform policy decisions.  
 
5. To that end, we are committed to:  
 
• working together to h elp ensure that sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious food 
continues to be available and accessible at all times to all people, including the poorest, 
the most vulnerable, and displaced people ;  
• keeping our food and agricultural markets open, predict able and transparent by not 
imposing unjustified trade restrictive measures on agricultural and agri -food products or 
key agricultural production inputs. The application of these measures, particularly 
unjustified export prohibitions and restrictions on ag ricultural and agri -food products, 
increases uncertainty and can result in a spiral of price increases and further restrictions;  
• ensuring emergency measures introduced to mitigate food security impacts should be as 
least-distortive as possible, targeted, p roportionate and temporary, in accordance with 
WTO rules, in order to allow markets and the flow of food to operate as efficiently as 
possible;  WT/GC/248  
 
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  • providing information to the WTO as soon as practicable of any trade -related measures 
affecting agriculture and agri-food products where possible, to ensure clarity and 
predictability, and ensuring their consistency with WTO rules;  
• not imposing export prohibitions or restrictions on foodstuffs purchased for non -
commercial humanitarian purposes by the World Food Prog ramme and call on all Members 
to adopt a Decision to this effect as soon as possible;  
• improving transparency and monitoring of trade measures at the WTO, including through 
requesting a standing agenda item on trade and food security at the Committee on 
Agriculture and inviting the Secretariat to provide regular analysis of the current food crisis 
in cooperation with other relevant international organizations to inform Members in their 
policy -making.  
6. We believe that strengthening the multilateral trading sys tem, with the WTO at its centre, and 
progressing agriculture reform at the WTO in accordance with Article 20 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture will contribute to sustainable development and help ensure more resilient, efficient and 
sustainable food systems a gainst future crises.  
 
7. Ensuring open and predictable agricultural markets and trade is key to mitigating multifaceted 
short and long -term risks and achieving global food security. That requires greater action and 
engagement now more than ever, including at  the 12th Ministerial Conference.  
 
 
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